Theories of Teaching in Psychology -M.ed Level

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INDEX
Sr.
No.
Particulars
Page
No.
Signature Remarks
1. Introduction 3
2. Definition 3
3. Advantages 3
4. Types of Teaching Theories 4
1. FORMAL THEORY 4
i Meutic Theory 5
ii Communicative Theory 5
iii Molding Theory 6
iv Mutual Inquiry Theory 6
2. DESCRIPTIVE THEORY 6
i. Theories of Instruction 6
1
Gagne’s hierarchical theory of
Instruction.
7
2
Atkinson’s Decision Theoretic
Analysis for optimizing learning.
7

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3
Bruner’s Cognitive
Developmental Theory of
Instruction.
7
ii. Prescriptive theories of teaching 8
3 NORMATIVE THEORY 8
i Cognitive theory 8
ii Theory of Teacher behavior 8
iii Psychological Theory 9
iv General Theory 10
5 Conclusion 10
6 References 10

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THEORIES OF TEACHING :-
Introduction:-
THEORIES OF TEACHING are the general methodology of teaching,reflecting
how teachers behave, why do they behave, when they perform and with effect
it works.
When applied in classroom it results in efficiency of teaching-learning process
and also that of teachers.(i.e. .They can develop teaching skills and knowledge
competencies.)
Definition:
“A theory of teaching is a set of inter-related constructs, definitions,
prepositions which present a systematic view of teaching by specifying relations
among variables with the purpose of explaining and predicting”- Kerlinger
Burner (1964) defines the theory of teaching as the explanation of “general
methodology of teaching”
A theory of teaching must answer the questions of the teaching for
efficient learning i.e.the need for a theory of teaching.
A teaching theory has the following advantages:
1) Teaching theory explains the relationship between teaching and learning
and identifies common factors.
2) Teaching theory gives the knowledge about the assumptions of teaching
activities which provide guideline for organizing teaching. The instructional
designs can be developed with the help of theory of teaching.
3) Provides the scientific basis for planning, organizing, leading and evaluation
the teaching.
4) The classroom teaching problems may be studied scientifically through the
knowledge of teaching theory.
5) The pupil-teachers can develop teaching skills and competency by
employing the knowledge given by theory of teaching.
6) Teaching objectives may be successfully achieved by the use of teaching
theory.

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7) The effective teachers enable produced with the use of teaching theory.
N.L. Gage suggests that theories of teaching may be used to increase the
understanding, prediction and control of teaching.
TYPES OF TEACHING THEORIES
1. Formal Theories :-
A formal theory is syntactic in natureand is only meaningful when given a
semantic component by applying it to some content (i.e. facts and relationships)
.
 to formalize a broad range of common sense inferences related to human
psychology, and on theories of human memory and emotions.
 The set of concepts surrounding the idea of a goal turned out to be
among the most important areas of common sense psychology.Goals are
central not just in our work but in psychology.

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 Formal Theories can be well explained by learning what are the theories
concernedinit.

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iii. Molding theory :-
The human personality is formed, shaped and molded by their ENV. Here
st.behaviour is molded by Tr’s teaching styles impact on them.
Implication :-
Good Teachers know well that they are shaping the future of the students and so
does they themselves are of that strong influence and good etiquettes that if they
are been followed it will have an indirect good impact and at times direct too.
iv. Mutual Inquiry theory
This theory states that true knowledge is gained through inquiry and self desire of
discovery to know.
Implication :-
This theory implies that a Teachers has a model in his mind to use in specific
situation and st. themselves selects a one so as to learn through mutual inquiry.
2. Descriptive Theories :-
A descriptive theories are based upon certain propositions and certain
observations stating the relationship between the outcome of education and the
condition and characteristics of learners.
Descriptive Theories can be well explained by learning what are the theories
concerned in it.
i. Theories of Instructions
1. Gagne’s hierarchical theory of Instruction.
2. Atkinson’s Decision Theoretic Analysis for optimizing learning.
3. Bruner’s Cognitive Developmental Theory of Instruction.

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1. Gagne’s hierarchical theory of Instruction
Learning event Corresponding instructional events
Reception Gaining attention
Expectancy Information learners of the
Retrieval Stimulation recall or prior learning
Selective Perception Presenting the stimulus
Semantic encodingProviding learning guidance
Responding Eliciting performance
Reinforcement Providing feedback
Retrieval Assessing performance
Generalization Enhancing retention and transfer
2. Atkinson’s Decision-theoretic Analysis for Optimizing Learning.
Atkinson Proposed four characteristics
1. Model of the learning process should be involved
2. It should involve specified instructional actions
3. The instructional objectives should be specified in behavioral terms.
4. Each instructional objective can be measured by Burner advocates that a
theory of instruction is designing measurement scale or questions.
3.Bruner’s Cognitive Developmental Theory of Instruction.
Bruner has specified four features
1) Predispositionto learn - A theory of instruction must be concerned with
the experiences and context that will tend to make the child willing and
able to learn when he enters the school
2) Structure of knowledge -A theory of instruction should specify the ways
in which bodyof knowledge should be structured so that it can be most
readily grasped by the learner.
3) Sequence of instruction – A theory of instruction should specify the most
effective sequences to present the material

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4) Reinforcement – A theory of instruction should specify the nature and
pacing of rewards, moving from extrinsic rewards of intrinsic one.
ii.Prescriptive theory of Teaching
E. Stones and Morries have attempted to explain the nature of teaching with the
help of three types of related variables:
1) The first phase includes the teacher in the analysis of the teaching
problems and teaching tests before teaching takes place.
2) In the second Phasedecision are made about the interrelationship of the
variables deemed appropriate to teaching objectives
3) The third phase concerns with evaluating the effectiveness and workability
of phase two .
3.NORMATIVE THEORYOF TEACHING:-
Learning theories been formulated and experimented on controlled
situations with less generalizability and teaching theories concerned with human
behaviour needs generalization .More rigorous experiment cannot be performed
on human .Thus we need normative theories where a standard norms are based on
humans i.e , teacher and students
i.The cognitive theory of teaching
1. Types of teacher’s activity –Adviser, counselor, motivator, demonstrator,
curriculum planner and evaluator.
2. Types of educational objectives –Cognitive, Affective and Psychomotor.
3. Types of learning theories –Psychological theories of learning,
philosophical theories of learning
4. Types of components of learning - drive, cue, responseand reward.
ii.Theory of Teacher behavior:-
D.G. Ryan has tried to explain the conceptof teacher-behaviour and
formulated a theory of teacher-behaviour.
“Teacher behavior consists of those acts that the teacher performs typically in
the classroom in order to induce-learning”. -M. Meux and B.O. Smith

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iv.General Theory of Teaching
S.C.T. Clarke has formulated a general theory of teaching.It assumes that
teaching is process which is designed and performed to produce change in
behavior of students.
Conclusion:-
Teaching theory is prescriptive. Teachers and pupils are the major variables of
teaching theory. It is narrow and specific. It is based upon learning theory,
learning conditions and learning components. While learning theory are
formulated by conducting experiments on animals teaching theory is developed
by dealing with human subjects in normal situations. It is concerned with
effective learning and development of pupils.
References:-
1. Sharma. R.K. “Technological foundation of education”, Theories of teaching.
2. Mangal. S.K. “Advanced Educational Psychology”, Nature and theories of
learning. PHI learning Private Limited.Pg.235 – 236.
3. http://www.slideshare.net/competents2011/teaching-theories?related=1